HP today unveiled a group of updated and new all-in-one desktop PCs, many with touch screens to take advantage of Windows 8's new tablet-like user interface.

Announcements range from the HP Pavilion 20, a value-oriented all-in-one, to the HP Spectre One, which leverages design and a large touch screen for those who want a premium computing experience.

The HP Pavilion 20 is a non-touch all-in-one PC with a 20-inch widescreen display, wired keyboard and mouse, and a basic set of features including USB 3.0 ports, SD card slot, and a tray-loading optical drive. The HP Pavilion 20 will be available in October along with Windows 8, and will start at $449.

The HP Envy 23 TouchSmart and Envy 20 TouchSmart both feature seamless glass widescreens optimized for Windows 8. The Envy 23 has a 23-inch widescreen, while the Envy 20 uses a 20-inch widescreen. The Envy's styling continues the all-in-one design ID in the current model Envy desktops, with a pair of pivoting arms suspending a large screen over the base. Both Envy TouchSmart systems have 10-point touch screens for full Windows 8 compatibility. They come with Intel processors, and can be equipped with SSD or ExpressCache SSDs for speed. Other features include Beats Audio, HD Webcam, HP Connected Photo, HP Connected Backup, and HP Connected Music. The HP Envy 20 TouchSmart also offers HP Connected Remote, a way to use your smartphone as a remote for music, photos, and videos. The HP Envy 23 TouchSmart will start at $999 and the HP Envy 20 TouchSmart will start at $799. Both will be available in October.

The HP Spectre One is HP's new premium all-in-one desktop, with a unique, attractive design that evokes the aluminum unibody designs that are en vogue these days. The Spectre One is centered around a 23.6-inch widescreen with seamless glass. The system's PC components are built into a curving base, allowing HP to make the screen itself 11.5mm (0.45-inch) thick. The Spectre One features an aluminum construction, Intel processor, Nvidia Graphics, and a wireless keyboard with matching trackpad. The Spectre One also includes a packed-in wireless mouse for those users who prefer one. That said, the trackpad and 10-finger touch screen are optimized for the Windows 8 user interface.

The Spectre One comes with added features like a two-year subscription to Norton Internet Security, full version of Adobe Photoshop Elements, full Adobe Premiere Elements, and dedicated technical support lines. The Spectre One is also one of the first PCs to include NFC (near-field communication) technology so you can use your NFC-equipped smartphone to login. NFC also lets you pair your smartphone to transfer photos over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you don't have built-in NFC, HP includes a few NFC stickers you can affix to a card or phone. The HP Spectre One starts at $1,299 and will be available in November 2012.

About the Author

Joel Santo Domingo is the Lead Analyst for the Desktops team at PC Magazine Labs. He joined PC Magazine in 2000, after 7 years of IT work for companies large and small. His background includes managing mobile, desktop and network infrastructure on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Joel is proof that you can escape the retail grind: he wore ... See Full Bio

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